Students Start Lunch Club In A Mission To Combat High School Loneliness

I was a recess loner in elementary school, most often to be found sitting on the edge of the jungle gym with my nose in a book. High school started the same way, but I was lucky enough to find a group of like-minded students to spend lunches with by my second year. Not all kids are that lucky, though, and a group of students at Boca Raton Community High School decided to do something about it. 

The school currently has about 3,400 students, and while many stick with their friends and social groups at lunchtime, many are left to sit alone. 

Senior Denis Estimon remembers how it feels to be the isolated one. When he first began school as a Haitian immigrant, he struggled to fit in. Even now that he's popular, he doesn't want anyone else to have to go through that.

He told CBS News, "It’s not a good feeling, like you’re by yourself. And that’s something that I don’t want anybody to go through."

With the mission to find those in need of company during the lunch hour, Denis and some friends started a club called "We Dine Together" last fall. They go to the courtyard to find the loners and new kids, introducing themselves and building relationships. 

Former football player, Jean Max Meradieu, says that he quit the football team because the lunch club is more important than a scholarship. "This is what I really want to do," he said.

Many of the club members have experience with schoolyard loneliness, making them the perfect people to help others currently experiencing it. 

Club member Allie Sealy remembers transferring to Boca High two years ago and struggling to find her place after leaving all her old friends behind. Lunch would be the worst part of the day. 

Bolstered by the success of their club, Denis and his group are hoping that other schools across the country will begin their own We Dine Together clubs, making sure every outsider feels accepted. 

I think it's a great mission, and I hope they succeed in their goal!

SHAREthis great idea with everyone you know, and hopefully we'll see more club's like this sprouting up nationwide!

h/t CBS News

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